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Monday, February 6, 2012

One can care about environment in many different ways. Ex: saving trees, caring for animals and birds, trying to reduce pollution, promoting reduce-reuse-recycle culture, using eco-friendly consumer products, saving energy and so on. One can also display the affection towards environment by just exploring and appreciating what nature is offering. So, how can one contribute or learn more in this regard? Exactly what opportunities/options are available?

As the heading of this blog article highlights, I am focusing on Ahmedabad in this article, and this is based on my limited stay in this city, that too within IIM-A campus.

Hope the details and the pointers given here help you get a head start and help you save the environment in better fashion!

In Feb 2011 Indian Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has notified that no carry bags shall be made available to consumers for free & has also banned carry bags below 40 micron thickness.

Ahmedabad Municipality is one of the few administrative bodies who have tried to implement this in real sense. Recently i.e. in Jan 2012 Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has intensified its war against plastic bags by increasing minimum price for carry bags (Small: Rs.2, Medium: Rs.5, Jumbo: Rs.10). Moreover, AMC has announced various kinds of fines and actions against violators (producers/distributors/vendors).

So, is that all? How is the implementation/enforcement? What are the challenges? What you can do? You can read few things about this in following blog, and then decide your next course of actions.

Every year interested students and student spouses get involved in various environmental friendly activities within the campus. Students being a continuously changing population, these enthusiasts help in continuing green initiatives that are already started and also start some new things, wherever possible.

In case you are going to become or already are a resident of IIM-A Campus and would like to know more about this, feel free to contact me. I can direct you to right contacts.

If you wish to join their Facebook group, please check under Groups section or click here.

The Ugly Indian

Few determined people in Bengaluru felt really bad about lack of civic sense among Indians in general. They decided to do something about it; they themselves started transforming the dirty streets around their area. And the result was phenomenal, and inspiring.

Note: Currently there is no Ugly Indian activism in Ahmedabad, it’s a golden opportunity for you start one and start contributing towards cleaner Ahmedabad streets. There are many “ideal” spots in Ahmedabad too that a true ugly Indian will like!

Learning

CEPT University (Center for Environmental Planning and Technology)

·It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the areas of natural and developed environment of human society and related disciplines

·There are part time courses, and even e-courses along with full time programmes

CEE – Centre for Environment Education

Headquartered in Ahmedabad, CEE was created in recognition of the importance of environmental education in India's overall environment and development strategy. The result of a unique partnership between government and a non-governmental institution, CEE was established as a Centre of Excellence in 1984, supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India.

Solid Waste Management department of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is making a good progress. In general AMC is working towards making and maintaining Ahmedabad as Clean City and Green City. Please check the below presentation to know more on AMC’s Solid Waste Management.

This company cares about sustainable future; they offer a unique range of environmentally friendly solutions, including Biodegradable and Compostable products, waste disposal solutions and waste-to-fuel products.

PARIKRAMA NATURE ADVENTURE AND SPORTS INSTITUTE, AHMEDABAD is one of the leading and outstanding institution engaged in Adventurous activities, imparting nature and environmental education, forest conservation and wildlife protection.

They also have a yahoo group; please check under Groups section for more details or click here.

Note: This information is just taken directly from their website; I haven’t personally interacted with this institution. If any of you want to share more details about any of these, feel free to send me the details so that I can add.

Asha Foundation

This is a NGO that tirelessly works to reduce pain and suffering of stray animals and birds, and to give them a new and healthy life. Though there are few more such NGOs, these people apparently have some unique services including 24*7 service, throughout year.

The foundation is doing very good ground level work, but it can use your help in case of documentation work, marketing etc.; you can help them in transforming to something more sustainable and long term success. If you speak to “Lalu Bhaiya” (the founder) in person, you can better understand their needs and limitations.

Groups

We all can learn from each other and also sometimes fight against a common cause too, in order to save environment. So, groups are essential and useful. Here is some information on various environment groups.

This space is created for all people in Ahmedabad who care about environment. Kindly promote this group among your friends, whoever might be interested in joining this group.

It would be great if you could keep aside few min and help this group get more life by initiating discussions/activities, participating and adding your friends who might be interested. I just started the group, which is no big deal; it is up to all of us to keep it alive or let it die.

Note: I am not part of any of these yahoo groups; discovered them bit late. However, I am trying to get people in these groups in Facebook group. If any of you want to share more details about any of these, feel free to send me the details so that I can add.